Latest revision as of 04:59, 17 November 2025

Learning Modules

CSDMS is building a suite of new multi-chapter learning modules designed for new to intermediate learners. These extended exercises allow users to build their expertise in surface dynamics modeling via compelling research questions and topics. Modules are self-paced with embedded prompts and programming challenges to help learners assess their own progress. To access these modules, you first need access to the EarthscapeHub, which is open to all after authentication (see instructions here). As modules come online, brief descriptions can be found here as well links to github repos. Those repos can be launched directly on the EarthscapeHub once you have been authenticated.

Learning Module 1: Simulating the impacts of extreme rainfall using Landlab

Chapter 0: Overview

This module is motivated by understanding drivers of land surface change and hazard during the the 2013 Colorado floods and landslides. The overview chapter sets the stage for an extended analysis of how stochastic rainfall impacts the surface. Students are introduced to Landlab, a Python-based modeling library, that is well-suited to building custom-built numerical models of surface dynamics.

Chapter 1: When it rains, it pours (sometimes)

Chapter 1 focuses on describing and simulating rainstorm statistics both from data and via parametric models. Student learning outcomes include:

Analyzing time series data from a tipping bucket rain gauge.
Describing and comparing event-scale storm properties.
Simulating stochastic rainfall using a Landlab component.
Explaining how well historic events are captured by rainfall generators.

Chapter 2: From rainfall to runoff

Chapter 2 focuses on using Landlab grids to combine process components. Student learning outcomes include:

Constructing and interpreting a 'bucket' model of surface water hydrology.
Explaining how root zone soil moisture evolves through time.
Planning and executing a model that couples two Landlab components.
Critiquing a hydrological model and modifying it to route water.

Chapter 3: Flow, floods, and failures

Chapter 3 focuses on using models based on real-world topographic data. Student learning outcomes include:

Building a model grid using real-world topography.
Interpreting fluxes by delineating watersheds.
Constructing an overland flow model driven by rainfall runoff.
Analyzing how the probability of hillside failure varies in space and time.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 = Learning Modules =
-These extended learning modules...[Notes: High level summary belongs here for each module, which will then link to a separate landing page for each module that has more details. For now, putting everything here since we only have one module.]
+CSDMS is building a suite of new multi-chapter learning modules designed for new to intermediate learners. These extended exercises allow users to build their expertise in surface dynamics modeling via compelling research questions and topics. Modules are self-paced with embedded prompts and programming challenges to help learners assess their own progress. To access these modules, you first need access to the EarthscapeHub, which is open to all after authentication (see instructions [[JupyterHubGitHubSignUp|here]]). As modules come online, brief descriptions can be found here as well links to github repos. Those repos can be launched directly on the EarthscapeHub once you have been authenticated.
-== Learning Module 1: ''Simulating the geomorphic impacts of extreme rainfall using Landlab'' ==
+== Learning Module 1: ''Simulating the impacts of extreme rainfall using Landlab'' ==
 === Chapter 0: ''Overview'' ===
-This module is motivated by understanding drivers of land surface change and hazard during the the 2013 Colorado floods and landslides. This chapter sets the stage for the this extended analysis. Students are introduced to Landlab, a Python-based modeling library, that is well-suited to building numerical models of surface dynamics that are custom-built by the user.
+This module is motivated by understanding drivers of land surface change and hazard during the the 2013 Colorado floods and landslides. The overview chapter sets the stage for an extended analysis of how stochastic rainfall impacts the surface. Students are introduced to Landlab, a Python-based modeling library, that is well-suited to building custom-built numerical models of surface dynamics.
 === Chapter 1: ''When it rains, it pours (sometimes)'' ===
-Chapter 1 focuses on describing and simulating rainstorm statistics both from data and via simulation. Student learning outcomes include:
+Chapter 1 focuses on describing and simulating rainstorm statistics both from data and via parametric models. Student learning outcomes include:
 # '''''Analyzing''''' time series data from a tipping bucket rain gauge.
-# '''''Describing''''' and '''''comparing''''' storm properties.
+# '''''Describing''''' and '''''comparing''''' event-scale storm properties.
 # '''''Simulating''''' stochastic rainfall using a Landlab component.
-# '''''Explaining''''' how well historic events are captured by simulation.
+# '''''Explaining''''' how well historic events are captured by rainfall generators.
 === Chapter 2: ''From rainfall to runoff'' ===
-Chapter 2 focuses on building Landlab grids to with which to add process components. Student learning outcomes include:
+Chapter 2 focuses on using Landlab grids to combine process components. Student learning outcomes include:
-# '''''Constructing''''' and '''''interpreting''''' a model of surface water hydrology.
+# '''''Constructing''''' and '''''interpreting''''' a 'bucket' model of surface water hydrology.
 # '''''Explaining''''' how root zone soil moisture evolves through time.
 # '''''Planning''''' and '''''executing''''' a model that couples two Landlab components.
-# '''''Critiqueing''''' your hydrological model and '''''modifying''''' it to route water.
+# '''''Critiquing''''' a hydrological model and '''''modifying''''' it to route water.
-=== Chapter 3: ''But will the hillside fail?'' ===
+=== Chapter 3: ''Flow, floods, and failures'' ===
-Chapter 3 focuses on applying such models to real-world topographic data to assess landslide hazard. Student learning outcomes include:
+Chapter 3 focuses on using models based on real-world topographic data. Student learning outcomes include:
-# '''''Applying''''' your model using Data Components to import topography.
+# '''''Building''''' a model grid using real-world topography.
-# '''''Explaining''''' how topography and water fluxes influence the Factor of Safety.
+# '''''Interpreting''''' fluxes by delineating watersheds.
-# '''''Executing''''' a dynamic model of soil moisture driven by stochastic rainfall.'''''
+# '''''Constructing''''' an overland flow model driven by rainfall runoff.'''''
 # '''''Analyzing''''' how the probability of hillside failure varies in space and time.
-=== Chapter 4: '' Applying your skills ===
-Chapter 4 is a more open-ended exercise to encourage students to apply their skills in a new, but related, context. Specifically, students are pointed to other educational resources on the CSDMS website to help them practice building their own Landlab models. The challenge posed to the student is to use Landlab to predict river flooding in response to stochastic rainfall.

Learning Modules: Difference between revisions